Discerning Hearts

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 3,(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/TeresaAvila_1_1-300x287.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 3 O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of love which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most loving spouse, to give us the great, the crowning gift of Thy perfect love. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

THE INTERIOR CASTLE(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/St.-Teresa1-291x300.jpg)OR THE MANSIONS By St. Teresa of Avila The Sixth Mansions Chapter 3:   For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/St.-Teresa-of-Avila-The-Interior-Castle-or-The-Mansions.pdf) For other audio chapters of "The Interior Castles" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=5271) 1. Locutions. 2. Sometimes caused by melancholia. 3. Caution needed at first. 4. Locutions frequently occur during prayer. 5. Resist those containing false doctrine. 6. First sign of genuine locutions.  7. Effect of the words: ‘Be not troubled.’ 8. ‘It is I, be not afraid.’ 9. ‘Be at Peace.’ 10. Second sign. 11. Third sign. 12. The devil suggests doubts about true locutions. 13. Confidence of the soul rewarded. 14. Its joy at seeing God’s words verified. 15. Its zeal for God’s honour. 16. Locutions coining from the fancy. 17. Imaginary answers given to prayer. 18. A confessor should be consulted about locutions. 19. Interior locutions. 20. First sign of genuine interior locutions. 21. Second sign. 22. Third sign. 23. Fourth sign. 24. Fifth sign. 25. Results of true locutions. 26. They should remove alarm. 27. Answer to an objection. Translated from the Autograph of St. Teresa of Jesus by The Benedictines of Stanbrook Thomas Baker, London [1921] Dom Michael Barrett, O.S.B.Censor Deputatuus Nihil Obstat:✠ Edward Apostolic Administrator Birmingham, Oscott. February 24, 1921

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Communion-of-St-Teresa-of-A.jpg)The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 2, composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of hope which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy holy spouse, to give us a great confidence in Thy goodness, by reason of Thy Precious Blood, which Thou hast shed to its last drop for our salvation. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/St.-Teresa1.jpg) O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?p=3805) and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. This Novena was written by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Visit the Discerning Hearts "Teresa of Avila" page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

THE INTERIOR CASTLE(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/St.-Teresa1-291x300.jpg)OR THE MANSIONS By St. Teresa of Avila The Sixth Mansions Chapter 2:   For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/St.-Teresa-of-Avila-The-Interior-Castle-or-The-Mansions.pdf) For other audio chapters of "The Interior Castles" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=5271) 1. Our Lord excites the love of His spouse. 2. The wound of love. 3. The pain it causes. 4. The call of the Bridegroom. 5. Effect on the soul. 6. A spark of the fire of love. 7. The spark dies out. 8. This grace evidently divine. 9. One such wound repays many trials. 10. First reason of immunity from deception. 11. Second and third reasons. 12. The imagination not concerned in it. 13. St. Teresa never alarmed at this prayer. 14. ‘The odour of Thine ointment.’ 15. No reason to fear deception here. Translated from the Autograph of St. Teresa of Jesus by The Benedictines of Stanbrook Thomas Baker, London [1921] Dom Michael Barrett, O.S.B.Censor Deputatuus Nihil Obstat:✠ Edward Apostolic Administrator Birmingham, Oscott. February 24, 1921

Episode 2 - Roots of the Faith: The Mass: the Universal Sign (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mike-Aquilina.jpg) Roots of the Faith - From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of  Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Roots-of-the-Faith.jpg) Pick up a copy of Mke's book.  You'll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0867169389/ref=nosim/disceheart-20) Also visit Mike's "Discerning Hearts" page for more audio downloads and information! (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=48 )

Below a Vatican Radio (http://www.news.va/en/news/audience-praying-as-the-body-of-christ) translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis from original text in Italian. (http://www.news.va/en/news/audience-praying-as-the-body-of-christ)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pope-Benedict-16.jpg) Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the last catechesis I began speaking about one of the privileged sources of Christian prayer: the sacred liturgy, which - as the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms – is “participation in Christ’s own prayer addressed to the Father in the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1073). In the liturgy, all Christian prayer finds its source and goal."(n. 1073). Today I would like us to ask ourselves: in my life, do I reserve enough space for prayer and, above all, what place does liturgical prayer have in my relationship with God, especially the Mass, as participation in the common prayer of the Body of Christ which is the Church ? In answering this question we must first remember that prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (cf. ibid., 2565). Therefore, the life of prayer lies in habitually being in the presence of God and being conscious of it, in living our relationship with God just as we live the usual relationships of our lives, those with close family members, and with real friends; indeed our relationship with the Lord gives light to all of our other relationships. This communion of life with God, One and Triune, is possible because, through Baptism we have been inserted into Christ, we have begun to be one with Him (cf. Rom 6:5). In fact, only in Christ we can talk to God the Father as children, otherwise it is not possible, but in communion with the Son, we too can say, as he said “Abba", because only in communion with Christ, can we know God as our true Father (cf. Mt 11:27). For this Christian prayer lies in constantly looking, in an ever new way, at Christ, talking with Him, being in silence with Him, listening to Him, acting and suffering with Him. The Christian rediscovers his true identity in Christ, "the firstborn of every creature », in whom all things were created (cf. Col 1:15 ff). By identifying with Him, being one with Him, I discover my personal identity, that of the true child who sees God as a Father full of love. But do not forget: we discover Christ, we know him as a living Person, in the Church. It is "his Body." This embodiment can be understood from the biblical words on man and woman: the two shall become one flesh (cf. Gen 2:24, Ephesians 5.30 ff. 1 Cor 6.16 s). The unbreakable bond between Christ and the Church, through the unifying power of love, does not negate the 'you' or ‘I', but raises them to their most profound unity. Finding one’s true identity in Christ means achieving communion with him, that does not cancel me out, but raises me to the highest dignity, that of a child of God in Christ, "the love-story between God and man consists in the very fact that this communion of will increases in a communion of thought and sentiment, and thus our will and God's will increasingly coincide "(Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, 17). To pray means to rising towards the heights of God through a necessary gradual transformation of our being. Thus, participating in the liturgy, we make ours the language of the Mother Church, we learn to speak it and for it. Of course, as I have already said, this takes place in a gradual manner, little by little. I have to progressively immerge myself in the words of the Church, with my prayer, my life, my suffering, my joy, my thoughts. It is a journey that transforms us. Thus I think that these reflections enable us to answer the question that we posed at the beginning: how do I learn to pray, how can I grow in my prayer? Looking at the model that Jesus taught us,

On this the feast of the Guardian Angels, I really felt it placed on my heart that I should turn to you for help.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Kris-McGregor-280x300.jpg) I hope you can take just a couple of minutes to listen to the audio above. With the addition of our new apps for Iphone, Ipad and Android devices our work has expanded greatly. Did you know that in the September 2012, we experienced  over 100, 000+ audio downloads....that is nearly double the amount experienced just 2 months ago.  Just yesterday, Oct. 1 we had 4, 500 downloads, so I think we are on our way of passing those September numbers as well. And those figures do not include the video hits, or page views which exceed 2,500 a day.  But it's not really about numbers, it's about hearts...hearts seeking answers and peace...hearts seeking ultimately  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God is so very good! This brings about new challenges, and honestly, expenses. First, I ask that you please pray for the work of "Discerning Hearts"...this is the most important thing.  But then I would also ask those who have been blessed to please consider helping us with a donation which will help cover the payment for more bandwidth, additional website and application expenses.  That alone costs hundreds of dollars each month.  And then there is the expense for the production work that comes with each series, program....well you get the picture, I am sure.   The Lord is really placing on my heart to invite others to help...as He said to St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles  "Be not afraid, I have many friends in this city." (Acts 18:9)   So, friends, I invite those of you who can, to please consider helping the work done here by all of us on Discerning Hearts. Discerning Hearts is a 501 c 3 non-profit public charity with ALL donations FULLY tax-deductible in the U.S.  We receive no funding from any Catholic Radio Station or Catholic Diocese.  We are truly 100% donor supported. Please check out the DONATE page (http://www.donate.discerninghearts.net/).  It's safe and secure and you will be helping us to continue the work that God has called us to. Thanks for your time and prayerful consideration. May our patrons, St. Padre Pio, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Blessed John Paul II, pray for us. May the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother, pray for us. And may the Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us all. Amen. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SacredHeartofJesus.jpg)  

Bruce and I, thanks to Fr. Damien Cook, had the opportunity to speak to Fr. Titus Kieninger of Opus Sanctorum Angelorum about the role of Holy Angels.  Be prepared...you'll have to listen a couple of times to this discussion;  Fr. Titus Kieninger gives so much information about their mission that you'll need hear a few times to get it all. Angel of God,(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Guardian-Angel.jpg) My Guardian Dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and guide. Amen. For they are ministering spirits, sent for service, for the sake of those who will inherit salvation” (Heb 1:14) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/heavenly-hands.jpg)O holy Guardian Angel, my dear friend and solicitous guide on the dangerous way of life, to thee be heartfelt thanks for the numberless benefits which have been granted me through thy love and goodness and for the powerful help by which thou hast preserved me from so many dangers and temptations. I beg of thee, let me further experience thy love and thy care. Avert from me all danger, increase in me horror for sin and love for all that is good. Be a counselor and consoler to me in all the affairs of my life, and when my life draws to a close, conduct my soul through the valley of death into the kingdom of eternal peace, so that in eternity we may together praise God and rejoice in His glory. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. O Angel of God, make me worthy of thy tender love, thy celestial companionship and thy never-failing protection! For He will give His angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/COMI0005.jpg) On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  (Ps 91) The Holy Angels, and in particular our Guardian Angels, are such a wonderful gift to us from the Father!  Let us give thanks to Him for his generosity and to our Guardian Angel for their presence in our lives! It's really important to understand  the difference in the angels beyond all the New Age silliness.  There are the Holy Angels (we love them and they love us) and the fallen angels (bad, bad, bad)...it's what discernment and spiritual warfare, on many levels, are all about. Be sure to visit Opus Sanctorum Angelorum (http://www.opusangelorum.org/english.html) Let us affectionately love His angels as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us. They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; Let us only follow them, let us remain close to them, and in the protection of the God of heaven let us abide. ~ St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Episode 22- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Omar-Gutierrez-1.bmp) - We continue the study of the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html)"  Chapter 2 Section 2 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) CHAPTER TWO (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER TWO) THE CHURCH'S MISSION AND SOCIAL DOCTRINE II. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH'S SOCIAL DOCTRINE a. Knowledge illuminated by faith b. In friendly dialogue with all branches of knowledge c. An expression of the Church's ministry of teaching d. For a society reconciled in justice and love e. A message for the sons and daughters of the Church and for humanity f. Under the sign of continuity and renewal (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Compendium-195x300.jpg) We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. - Omar G. (http://www.regnumnovum.com/socialdoctrine/)   Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

Episode 1 -The Way of Mystery:  The Eucharist and Moral Living–(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Keating-2-293x300.jpg) Placing the Eucharist as the center of who we are as Catholics part 1 Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “The Way of Mystery”. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Eucharist-190x300.jpg)The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IPF_logo-small.jpg) For more information on the “Institute of Priestly (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)Formation” and for oth (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Communion-with-Christ.bmp) Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Communion with Christ” , it is on (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks)e of the best (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) audio sets on prayer…ever! (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=624)

USCCA22 Chapter 20 Holy Orders Part 2 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Archbisop-George-Lucas.jpg) Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter20: A bishop is given the grace to teach in the name of Christ; to sanctify the Church through the celebration of the Sacraments; to guide, govern, and defend the Church; and to be a sign of the unity of the Church. A priest is given the grace to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to celebrate the Sacraments (except Holy Orders), and to shepherd the people entrusted to him. A deacon in the Latin Church is ordained to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to baptize, to assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages, to preside at funerals, and to serve the community through works of charity. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)   The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.  For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Luca (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=7136)s page This programs is based on: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/United-States-Catechism-for.jpg) More information can be found here (http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=5-450). We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series. Also we wish to thank Matt Willkomb for his vocal talents in this episode.

(Vatican Radio (http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/10/01/saint_th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_of_lisieux:__the_story_of_a_soul_.../en1-622270)) Have you ever read anything Saint Thérèse of Lisieux wrote? If you have or even if you haven't be sure to (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/St.-Therese-5-215x300.jpg)listen to this programme focusing on the writings of this Doctor of the Church to mark the day the Church remembers her on October 1st. Saint Thérèse was a Carmelite nun who died of tubercolosis in 1897 at the age of 24. Pope Pius XI who canonised her declared that the life she lived in Carmel did not go beyond the common order of things. However she sublimated that life to such an extent that she was proposed by four popes in succession as an example to follow. She left us her autobiography, by the title: " The Story of a Soul" . It became a best seller and is considered one of the greatest books of spirituality ever written. In this programme written and presented by Jill Bevilacqua and produced by Sean Patrick Lovett we bring you a selection of readings from this book. For a PDF download from Discerning Hearts of  St. Therese's "The Story of a Soul (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=3224)"...click here (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=3224)

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and prayer of St. Therese, the Little Flower. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Msgr.-John-Esseff-256x300.jpg) He speaks of her simplicity of heart and great humility in her "little way".  He shares his experience of his own mother's prayer and that of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who both loved and prayed with the "Little Flower".   The key is her (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/St.-Therese-1-209x300.jpg)"hiddeness"  and the beauty of a child.  She has a special message for woman the world over, especially for our culture in the United States. He would encourage all of us to ask in petition you may have need of, an educational issue, a job decision, a health issue, whatever it might be, turn to  St. Therese in prayer, especially today and tomorrow (the feast of the Guardian Angels).  He shares the story of his cousin Jimmy, his accident and a stranger who came to his aid, and why the angels and the saints and the power of prayer have such an influence on our lives.

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/themostholyrosary.jpg)Outside of the Sacramental prayers of the Church, for me, there is no other prayer more important then the prayerful recitation/meditation/contemplation of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our late great Holy Father, Pope John Paul II put it beautifully in His Apostolic Letter On the Rosary of the Virgin Mary: (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html) "A path of contemplation" "But the most important reason for strongly encouraging the practice of the Rosary is that it represents a most effective means of fostering among the faithful that commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery which I have proposed in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20010106_novo-millennio-ineunte_en.html) as a genuine “training in holiness”: “What is needed is a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of The Rosary belongs among the finest and most praiseworthy traditions of Christian contemplation. Developed in the West, it is a typically meditative prayer, corresponding in some way to the “prayer of the heart” or “Jesus prayer” which took root in the soil of the Christian East."-  His Apostolic Letter On the Rosary of the Virgin Mary (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html) Please take some time to check out the Discerning Hearts "Holy Rosary Page" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1021) Audio mp3 download/podcasts of the Holy Rosary (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ourladyoftherosary.jpg)Joyful Mysteries Sorrowful Mysteries Download (http://www.discerninghearts.com/Devotionals/Rosary-Sorrowful-Mysteries.mp3) (right click & choose "Save Link As") Luminous Mysteries Download (http://www.discerninghearts.com/Devotionals/Rosary-Luminous-Mysteries.mp3) (right click & choose "Save Link As") Glorious Mysteries Download (http://www.discerninghearts.com/Devotionals/Rosary-Glorious-Mysteries.mp3) (right click & choose "Save Link As") (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/51ZH9EM9RTL__SL110_.jpg) meditative music  provided by